Leicester's park and ride fares set to rise

Roberts Travel Group is taking over the full operation of Leicester City Council's park and ride services

Fares for Leicester's park and ride services are to be increased.

Leicester City Council said it was the first rise in five years but prices would still be lower than commercial bus operations.

The increase was confirmed as the council announced Roberts Travel Group as the new operator of the service.

The authority says Roberts will run the park and ride from Birstall, Enderby and Meynell's Gorse from 24 August.

Under the new three-year contract buses must continue to run at least every 15 minutes from Monday to Saturday, from 07:00 to 19:00, says the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Roberts says it plans to introduce more stops along all three park and ride routes, including locations such as Freemans Common, Redhill Circle and Braunstone Leisure Centre.

'Difficult decisions'

Leicester City Council said the city and county councils would continue to fund the park and ride operation but will reduce their subsidy by half, from £422,000 a year to £211,000.

From 26 August, a day return ticket will increase from £3.50 to £4.85 and a group day ticket for up to five people will go up from £4 to £6.

Meanwhile, concessionary fares will be reduced from £1 to become free after 09:30.

Geoff Whittle, Leicester's assistant city mayor for transport and the environment, said there were plans to better link with the Hop! Service and the Hospital Hopper in the future.

"Like all councils we are having to make some very difficult decisions around funding, and this contractual arrangement means we can reduce our subsidy to the park and ride service, while ensuring it continues to operate," he said.